Volvo 850 T5-R (1995): At the time, the fastest wagon in the world. And it wasn't just quick for a wagon: an 850 competed in the British Touring Car Championship.

Photo: Volvo

BMW 540i (1999-2003): The BMW 5 Series: practical and discrete, goes like stink. The 5 Series wagon: even more practical, still goes like stink.

Photo: BMW

Dodge Magnum (2005-08): The manliest of man wagons: big, muscular haunches and a load of Hemi firepower under the hood.

Photo: Dodge

Alfa Romeo 159 (2005-Present): Like almost all Alfas, absolutely stunning… and unavailable in the States. But with Fiat's acquisition of Chrysler, expect to see its successor, the Giulia, on our shores in 2012.

Photo: Alfa Romeo

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG (2006-09): The king of the hill in the German horsepower wars; with 507 horsepower and 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, it'll go toe-to-toe with most Porsches.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Saab 9-5 Aero (2000-09): Okay, so they aren't really "Born From Jets," but recent renditions of this hot wagon have sported the fighter-plane inspiration with style.

Photo: Saab

Audi A6 Avant (2008-Present): Born in 04, the newest iteration of the A6 wagon, is possibly the best, with a long curvaceous hood that looks like nothing the Quattros that came before it.

Photo: Audi

Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI (2009-Present): Smart, modern styling, and a very modern 30 miles per gallon.

Photo: Volkswagen

Cadillac CTS-V (2010-Present): Love at first sight. Praise the Lord, the re-re-return of the holy American muscle wagon.

Photo: Cadillac

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept (2010): Revealed at the Beijing Auto Expo this year, the CLS of the future retains what we love about the "four-door coupe"—namely, that achingly graceful, arching line—and makes the future of wagons look very bright, indeed.

Enter the Wagon: The Twenty Most Memorable Mom-Mobiles of the Past 50 Years

We know better than to think that only suburban moms and dog-show people drive wagons these days. Despite the decades of minivans, SUVs and now crossovers designed to kill off the beloved station wagon, few cars are more quietly cool than a fierce five-door. The wagon remains the consummate multitasker: it handles like a car and hauls like a van. Toss in some stylish lines and a fire-breathing engine, and the wagon can be all things to all men—and women. In honor of Mother's Day, we bring you the best of the breed.